Expanding the Formal Category of Impulse Control Disorders

In addition to the formal impulse control disorders (ICDs), high rates of trait impulsiveness, sensation seeking, and dissociative qualities have been noted in several other disorders that share similar phenomenological, clinical, and possibly biological characteristics. These proposed disorders include pathological skin picking, compulsive buying, problematic Internet use, and compulsive sexual behavior. Elevated rates of co-occurring ICDs within both the formal and proposed ICDs suggest that at least some of the proposed ICDs may share a common pathophysiology with some of the formal ICDs. Although research has only recently begun to explore pharmacological and psychosocial treatments for the ICDs, studies have shown a similar response between the formal and the proposed ICDs. Future development in understanding the relationship between these disorders will help to refine views of the psychopathology and taxonomy of these conditions.